Deputy president race - Meurig Raymond

Age: 57

Farm: 1150ha in North Pembrokeshire, West Wales, in partnership with twin brother, son and nephew. 600 dairy cows plus replacements, 600 beef cattle, 2,000 store lambs, 700ha combinable crops and 80ha of potatoes.

NFU positions held: Pembrokeshire council delegate (1994-2004), chairman audit committee (2002-2004), vice president (2004-2006), deputy president (2004-date).

Other relevant positions held: Vice-chairman Assured Food Standards, member Bank of England regional advisory group (South Wales), awarded MBE for services to Agriculture, Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Society of England and Wales.

Main interests outside farming: I take a keen interest in politics, military history and I follow cricket and rugby

Tell us something surprising about you: My father fought in the First World War at Gallipoli and on the Western Front (he was 57 when my brother and I were born!).

Who is your hero? Winston Churchill – saved Britain from defeat to the Germans through dogged determination and persistence.

Why are you the best person for the job?

I have served as vice-president and deputy-president alongside Peter Kendall – with whom I have an excellent working relationship – at a time when agriculture and food security has very much returned to the Government’s agenda.

There is a need for continuity in a proven partnership, particularly at a time of a new incoming Director-General and a General Election in the offing.

I have developed a vast array of contacts and relationships over many years of service to the agricultural industry which is of great use. In addition, I am a mixed famer and have a tremendous knowledge of all of the sectors and the issues they face.

What would you change within the NFU to improve it?

The uion has grown its membership over the last two years and has developed into a highly professional and focussed organisation and the challenge is to maintain this level of progress.

Effective communication with our members will be vital in making the NFU relevant in the challenging years ahead and it is important that we engage at a grass-roots level, particularly the younger generation, who are the future of the industry.

I wish to play a full part of the leadership team in further progressing a robust organisation that is fit for purpose and helps to create a more profitable industry in the years ahead.

What farming issue(s) would be your priority? 

Post-2013 CAP Reform is the top priority for the new the new team. Maintaining Pillar 1 Single Farm Payment is a must in order to minimise the volatility in Farming returns, which we have seen over the last few years. In addition, there must be no competitive disadvantage to British Farmers as a result of the reforms and my good working relationship which I have built up the MEPs over a number of years makes me well-placed to influence final decisions.

Bovine TB remains a major issue and a change in Government policy is essential to rid ourselves of this pernicious disease in our cattle population.

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